In a press release dated July 24, Delano-CA-based Paramount Citrus announced that it had acquired Healds Valley Farms, a Texas-based citrus company that represents nearly 50 percent of that state's citrus market. Paramount Citrus, commonly referred to as PCA, is the largest grower of fresh citrus in North America.

In the statement, David Krause, president of PCA, said that this acquisition will help PCA to continue to deliver unparalleled value and variety to customers throughout the United States as it marries its proven business model, focus on quality and exceptional operations to the already strong team in place at Healds Valley Farms.

"Healds Valley is a good operation run by good people," Mr. Krause said in the statement. "The resources of Healds Valley to our existing Paramount operations strengthens our company greatly and will make us a better partner to existing and future growers and customers across the nation."

PCA, already the largest vertically integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus, including Clementine and Afourer Mandarins, Navel oranges, Valencia oranges, lemons and limes in North America, will now add Healds Valley Farms' red grapefruit-the company's primary product-to its portfolio. The addition of Healds Valley grapefruit, as well as its oranges and tangerines, grown on 4,400 owned acres and an additional 6,000 acres operated by third-party growers, will offer substantial benefits to PCA customers.

The addition of high-quality red grapefruit to the PCA family will provide greater variety to its customers who will also be able to enjoy one stop shopping due to new PCA distribution centers in the McAllen, TX, area.

The operation will continue to be called Healds Valley Farms and will retain its workforce, including its management. The only immediate personnel change at Healds Valley Farms will be the addition of Rick Burnes, the current vice president of Supply chain for PCA, who will join Healds Valley Farms as general manager. Mr. Burnes will be replacing Yishai Yeshurun.

PCA will now ship more than 15 million cartons of fresh citrus annually to markets across North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. This citrus fruit, which the company claims is among the highest quality in the world, will be grown on more than 42,000 acres and processed from PCA facilities in the San Joaquin Valley of California, Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley near McAllen.

"We are happy to welcome Healds Valley Farms to the Paramount family," Mr. Krause added in the press release. "We are excited about the future of Paramount Citrus' operations and Healds Valley will play an essential role in shaping it."